Roughly translated, it says that the Senate of Uruguay decided today amid strong political controversy to postpone until next April the voting law that would give equal marriage rights and obligations to gay couples that are celebrated by heterosexuals.

Opponents of same-sex marriage accused Senators of trying to rush the vote without going through normal procedures, and the 26 Senators on the floor all voted to postpone debate until the new session begins in April.

The Roman Catholic Church is leading the charge against legalizing same-sex weddings.

Uruguay would join Argentina as the only two South American countries to provide marriage for all its citizens. Same-sex marriage is offered in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and parts of the United States. Mexico is poised to join the ranks after its high court’s historic ruling.